We’re well aware of mindfulness and its plenty of benefits, but what about being at peace in our hearts? Guiding today’s youth with the importance of heartfulness, here’s Kamlesh Patel, guide of Heartfulness Institute (www.heartfulness.org) in conversation with GlobalSpa.

Affectionately called Daaji, Kamlesh D. Patel is the fourth spiritual Guide in the Sahaj Marg system of Raja Yoga meditation, specifically the modern day variation of Sahaj Yoga – the Heartful Meditation.

“Meditation is often defined as thinking continuously about one object of thought. However, we often get stuck on this definition and lose the real purpose of meditation – meditation must reveal the true nature of that object upon which we are meditating. Such revelation comes not as a thought, but as a feeling. Therefore, meditation is a process in which we evolve from thinking to feeling. For this, we must involve the heart.” elaborates the spiritual guide.

A powerful practice for building heart values and much more here are all about heartfulness with Daaji…

1.) What exactly is heart-based meditation?

In Heartfulness meditation, we bring our attention to the heart and meditate upon the divine presence within. The Heartfulness method is a modified form of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga which crystallized into its present form in the mid-20th century.

There are four techniques in the Heartfulness Way: Relaxation, a guided tool that helps relax the body prior to meditation – Meditation; during which we meditate on the Source of Light in our heart; Cleaning; an active technique that helps to remove thoughts and impressions that have built up over time; and Prayer; which allows us to create an stronger connection to our inner Source.

2.) What are some benefits one takes away from this practice?

Many of us turn to yoga asanas and meditation when we are under tremendous stress and want to relieve our anxiety. In recent studies, Heartfulness meditation has been found to help reduce burnout in healthcare professionals, helping to reduce their stress and improve their sense of wellbeing. Heartfulness has even been shown to help patients with sleep problems, especially in curbing chronic insomnia.

3.) Do heartfulness and mindfulness go together, or can they be practiced separately?

While Heartfulness is a form of Raja Yoga that has been modified to suit modern conditions, mindfulness is the secularization of a particular Buddhist meditation technique. The two practices produce different results, and my suggestion is to adopt a scientific approach by designing an experiment and test these practices for yourself. Try a mindfulness practice for a week. Then try the Heartfulness method for a week and take a few sessions with an instructor (or try out the Masterclass series online). You are the experiment and the experimenter!

4.) Everyone’s looking out for their immunity these days, so could you please explain how heartfulness meditation could help in improving our immunity?

A keyway that meditation fosters immunity is by reducing chronic stress. Chronic stress elevates the body’s cortisol levels which over time can lead to inflammation, taxing the immune system. By reducing the body’s cortisol levels, meditation has a role in bolstering immunity. Chronic stress is also a factor in sleep disorders, and lack of sleep suppresses immunity. Heartfulness meditation can also help complement healthy eating habits, exercise, and regular visits to the doctor in helping to reduce chronic stress and improve sleep problems.

5.) When’s the best time to practice this meditation?

Is there ever a wrong time to meditate? When you feel the impulse to meditate, it is best not to ignore it! It is encouraged to complete one’s meditating by early morning, just before sunrise – a period known as sandhi-gati. If you observe your breathing patterns and energy flows at this time, you’ll notice that your consciousness naturally flows inward, which is highly conducive to meditation.

If you are not able to meditate before sunrise because of your schedule or other circumstances, you can meditate at any time during the day. However, it is important to try to fix a specific time for meditation and meditate at that time regularly. By meditating at the same time every day, it becomes easier to make meditation a part of your daily routine.

6.) Lastly, how will one be able to recognize the differences after practicing heart meditation?

It is important to observe yourself as you adopt meditation into your life. One way to do this is by keeping a daily journal in which you record your observations before and after your meditations. Observe how you feel during your meditations or any thoughts that arise when you sit and note those down. By keeping a diary, you can keep track of the changes that you observe in yourself after practicing meditation for an extended period of time. As you continue with your practice, people around you will start noticing changes in you as well.

For more information, reach out at [email protected].